Celway Terracotta Celosia is a compact, open-pollinated flower cultivar with blooms in a mesmerizing shade between rose gold and copper that bring elegance to any garden or vase. Hardy in zones 10-11, this variety reaches 30-42 inches tall with a tidy 12-inch spread, flowering reliably from summer through fall after 90-100 days from seed to bloom. Its upright spikes of color attract pollinators all season long, while the edible flowers and exceptional performance as both fresh and dried cut flowers make it far more versatile than typical ornamental celosias.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
42in H x 12in W
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Low
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The warm terracotta tones of this celosia feel like sunset captured in a flower head, and that color holds beautifully whether you're displaying fresh stems in water or hanging them to dry for winter arrangements. Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost and you'll have blooming plants by midsummer that keep producing until frost arrives. Pinching young seedlings encourages fuller, more branched plants with denser flower production, transforming a single seed into a generous harvest of cut stems.
Celway Terracotta shines as a cut flower, whether you harvest stems at their peak for fresh arrangements or allow them to fully mature and dry them for long-lasting dried bouquets. The edible flowers add visual interest and a delicate texture to salads and garnishes. Both applications make this variety a natural choice for gardeners interested in growing flowers specifically for home floral design or dried flower crafting.
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Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost into 72-cell flats or preferred seedling containers. Cover seeds very lightly to hold them in place; light is required for germination. Maintain temperatures of 63-68°F (17-20°C) for seedling growth. Keep seeds at 68-78°F during germination, then shift to 65°F once sprouted. Use roomy cell-packs to avoid rootbound seedlings and premature flowering.
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting out after danger of frost has passed. Space plants 6 inches apart in the garden bed. Handle transplants gently to avoid disturbing roots.
Direct seeding is possible only in locations with a long growing season. Sow seeds about two weeks after your last frost, placing them 1/8 inch deep in soil. This timing will produce later blooms compared to transplant-started plants.
For fresh-cut flowers, harvest in the morning when blooms are at their freshest and petals are just opening. Cut stems with a clean knife that has been dipped in a 10% household bleach solution. For dried flowers, harvest at the same stage of development as you would for fresh flowers (when fully developed with firm stems at the base of the bloom). Remove all foliage and hang bundles upside down in a dark, well-ventilated location to dry completely, which typically takes about two weeks.
Pinching is recommended to encourage branching on young transplants. This simple technique, applied early in the growing season, promotes fuller plants with more stems for cutting.
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